Sep 24 "Moonrise Kingdom" is Charming and Unconventionally Romantic: A Car Chase and a Kiss: Admittedly Optimistic Reviews of Upcoming Films at the Saratoga Film Forum.

Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom" opens at the Saratoga Film Forum at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Sept. 27. The film also runs on Friday, Sept. 28 at the same time, and again at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Anderson's newest film is charming and unconventionally (but unconditionally) romantic. While having little foundation in the real world, "Moonrise Kingdom" is still somehow genuine and real - more so than a conventional film that asks you to accept its action as reality. Moonrise Kingdom doesn't talk down to you; it doesn't try to be something that it's not.

The movie begins with a man addressing the audience directly - in a way, saying "this is a movie, let your imagination take over because in this world, anything is possible." It tells the story of two young lovers, Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward), who run away from home to meet each other in the wilderness. The romance between the two will remind you of the first time you fell in love.

The cast is magnificent. Wes Anderson pairs big name stars with several child actors with no film experience, creating truly dramatic and comical situations. Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), Mr. Bishop (Bill Murray) and Scout Master Ward (Ed Norton) form a comic powerhouse of deadpan, depressive middle-aged men that should not be missed. These characters transform a seemingly trivial crisis into an adventure of epic proportions and dire consequences.

The direction, costumes and set design are as wonderful as they always tend to be in Wes Anderson films. There are no complaints here. Go see this movie: I'll see you there because I'm sure as hell going again.

This past month Skidmore College welcomed Elizabeth Kolbert, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History back to campus. Sponsored by the the Saratoga Springs Public Library, the Gannett auditorium was nearly full with an overwhelming majority of older members of the community, along with a smattering of Skidmore students and faculty.

It is an important time for seniors, as well as other upperclassmen who will soon enter their final year at Skidmore, to begin considering the value of consistently supporting the college after graduation.

Get to know Drobakid, a student band that mixes the lyricism of timeless folk music with new-wave sounds inspired by great psychedelic bands. They talk candidly about nerves, music, and each other. Check out some of the tunes they mention here at Drobakid.bandcamp.com.

On April 8, Hungary held its parliamentary elections, resulting in a victory for the Fidesz-KDNP alliance, with Victor Orbán selected as the country’s Prime Minister. Orbán’s radical platform is not only detrimental to Hungary, but also poses a risk to the stability of the European Union.